Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule

I thought from my observations that McNair did open it up as the season went on. He wouldn't have passed for 6.5 yards every attempt if he didnt throw downfield effectively in the same way Brunell wouldn't have gotten 6.9 yards/attempt if he never went downfield.

I honestly don't think either QB was particularly effectice (or horrible). The reason why their ypa average was high was because, as you know, they threw a lot of high percentage passes and not because they were chucking it up downfield. Moreover, Brunell's ypa average is inflated because the team was relatively effective at screen plays and the ability of guys like Moss and Cooley to get yards after the catch.

Pretty cool that both Smoot and Fletcher get to play against their former teams. I want to see Fletcher shake off a block from Dockery to make a tackle for a loss against whatever bum will end up running the ball for the Bills.

Holdman might be a Bill by then too. He met with them according to NFL Network

Holdman might be a Bill by then too. He met with them according to NFL Network
Oh no Holdman might be gone? Whatever will we do? Actually play defense for a change?

Holdman might be a Bill by then too. He met with them according to NFL Network

They already took Bowen and Royal. Haven't they already caused us enough pain.

They already took Bowen and Royal. Haven't they already caused us enough pain.
Yes, but havent they also released Bowen. If we wanted him bad enough, we could get him back. If he isn't already signed somewhere else.

Brunell 2006: 62.3% comp, 6.9 yards/attempt

McNair 2006: 63.0% comp, 6.5 yards/attempt.

Very similar. McNair completed a bit higher % of his passes, but Brunell was a bit more effective. Both guys were pretty successful last year.

The thing with McNair is while he still can be a starter in this league for someone, like Brunell hes much better suited for a backup role. Both will still play effectively if called on however.

I thought from my observations that McNair did open it up as the season went on. He wouldn't have passed for 6.5 yards every attempt if he didnt throw downfield effectively in the same way Brunell wouldn't have gotten 6.9 yards/attempt if he never went downfield.

Gtripp you sure love to bring out the stats. I would rather have a guy who can give an offense big play potential rather than 6 yard dink and dunk passes. You don't score points in the NFL when you have to run 12-15 plays every single drive becuase your offense can't get big plays out of the passing game. What McNair and Brunell do don't impress me at all becasue they are nothing but care takers. At some point in a game you need your qb to make plays, have the ability to take the game over from the pocket. McNair just can't do it anymore and we all know Brunell sure can't. It showed up in the playoffs for Balt. and it showed up for us every single year Brunell has been here. McNair just looks old now. You can throw Trent Green in there too. Although he's a gunslinger Farve still has the arm to play at a high level.

What impresses me are guys that push the ball down the field and still complete a high number but don't turn it over too much. One guy who really impresses me is Drew Brees. How SD let the guy walk out of town is beyond me. Dude has a below average NFL arm but always pushes it downfield and completes a high %.

I really don't see this schedule as tough as last years. I like our chances and I love ending the year at home vs. Dallas.

Why can't the season start today!~!

Oh no Holdman might be gone? Whatever will we do? Actually play defense for a change?

I think we will tackle better. Not sure what film the Bills are looking at.

I like the Detroit, GB, and AZ stretch.

Both AZ and GB should be good. Those games are not going to be easy.

I honestly don't think either QB was particularly effectice (or horrible). The reason why their ypa average was high was because, as you know, they threw a lot of high percentage passes and not because they were chucking it up downfield. Moreover, Brunell's ypa average is inflated because the team was relatively effective at screen plays and the ability of guys like Moss and Cooley to get yards after the catch.I thought he got a lot more help from his receivers last year (2005) than this year (2006). Moss made that same play so many times in 2005 off the screen, I can't help but think that Brunell's YPA from 2005 was pretty inflated.

This year, I can remember only one big passing play from the first nine games that Brunell didn't have much of a role in and that was the 75 yard shovel to CP against Houston. But I'd be willing to say that most QBs with some talent on offense got a play like that at least once during the course of the season.

I think theres a double standard with QB age in this league. If Brunell or McNair throws for 7 YPA, its because they had great help from receivers. If McNabb does it, despite having the LEAGUES BEST PLAYER AFTER THE CATCH (Westbrook), it's because he's just that good. I think it's a league wide phemenon to create self serving evidence to say that old guys can't play, when in fact that isn't true.

But I think the near identical play of Brunell and McNair, at the very least, should demonstate to everyone just how much of a role defense plays. The difference between the leagues best D and leagues worst D, teams who had nearly identical offenses, was the difference of 8 wins. 8 wins! It's a 16 game season.

If we had the 2004 defense playing with the 2006 offense, we could have expected a 12-4 season with the exact same play from QB. That's the point. Defense really, really is everything in this league.